Alfred ahlfors



No. 624,721. Patented May 9, I899. A.AHLFORS.

ORGAN FOB REINFORCING MELODY TUNES.

(Application filed Sept. 17, 1898.)

("0 Model.) I

ELZQ'Z UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED AI-ILFORS, OF ESLOF, SWEDEN.

ORGAN FOR REINFORCING MELODY TONES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 624,721, dated May 9, 1899.

Application filed September 1'7, 1898. Serial No. 691,234. (No model.)

ings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The purpose of this invention is an improvement in organs to provide means for rendering the melody more prominent, which is especially desirable in playing preludes, chorals, and the like.

Figure 1 shows a vertical section, Fig. 2 a longitudinal section, and Fig. 3 details, of my improved device.

Similar letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Each note is sounded by a pair of reeds b and I), having the same pitch, which reeds are inclosed in their respective boxes or cavities L and L and are sounded by depressing a common pallet K by the key a and correspondingplungerX. From the arrangement shown in the drawings, Fig. 1, it will be seen that each note is sounded by two reeds, and in order to make the melody more prominent I have devised means whereby a reed of-all the pairs of reeds may be muted except those playing the melody, thus giving the tones of the melody notes their full value. Across one set of reed-boxes I place a rail 0, from which are supported the valves B for closing the reed-cavities. To the rail 0 above each box I have shown secured brackets O, in which are pivoted the weighted Valves B for closing the reed'cavities and the weighted levers A, which operate said valves. These levers are provided with weights II to hold them in normal position and carry on their forward arms bridle-wires D, to which the swinging or hinged valves B are connected by the bridles E. These bridle-wires D are not fastened in the levers A, so as to control the valve just below, but are inclined toward the side so as to project over the valve controlling the next adjoining reed-cavity, so that when the lever A is actuated that reed over which it is situated is not muted, but instead the next adjoining one, (preferably to the left.)

Upon one end of each lever A, I provide a tap or projecting pin F for the purpose of depressing the next adjoining lever, (preferably to the left,) so that when a note is sounded the reeds of all the other notes damped by valves B (say to the left) are muted.

Each key carries a contact-piece G, that operates the lever A by having contact either directly with the end of said lever or with a wear-plate thereon, as shown.

The operation of the device is as follows: The key a is depressed, the plunger X opens the pallet K to the reed-cavities, and simultaneously-the contact-piece G depresses the lever A, which causes the end of the bridlewire D to approach the reed-cavity, slacken the bridle, and allow the valve B, which is hinged to the next adjoining reed-cavity on the left, to drop on its seat and mute the reed, and at the same time that the lever A is depressed the pin F, that projects over the next adjoining lever A, will impinge upon said lever and depress it also, which lever will likewise depress its neighbor, and so on, so that all the valves (say to the left of the note sounded) are closed,the reeds muted, and only the upper or melody note given full quality.

It is obvious that by means of a common register, operated by the knee or otherwise, all the valves B may be held closed, whereby the mechanism described is put into or out of operation.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In an organ, two reed-boxes for each note, a mute for one of each pair of reed-cavities, comprising a clack-valve, a weighted key-operated lever, a bridle-wire in'one arm of said lever, and a flexible detent from said wire to said valve of one of the adjoining pair of reedcavities, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in pres ence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALFR. AHLFORS.

W'itnesses:

N. GUSTTBERG, A. W. ANDERSON. 

